We shared these two w/ Wolfgang Sat night to illustrate what Calif can do:
1. Carlisle Zin DryCreekVlly/SonomaCnty (15.4%; 97% OldVines; 3% PS; 360 cs) 2013: Med.dark color; very strong raspberry/blackberry/framboise/very spicy/Zin rather dusty/OV quite perfumed/aromatic light toasty/oak lovely nose; bit tart/angular/lean very rich/lush very strong raspberry/framboise/Zin/very spicy/blackberry light toasty/oak quite structured flavor w/ some hard/angular tannins; very long/lingering framboise/raspberry/Zin/blackberry/very spicy somewhat dusty/OV light toasty/oak finish w/ some hard/austere tannins; needs at least a yr or two and should go out 10 yrs; pretty classic example of DryCreekVlly Zin; no signs of overripeness or alcoholic heat. $34.25
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2. Siduri PinotNoir SantaLuciaHighlands (14.5%) 2013: Med.dark color; classic Siduri oak slight herbal/rosemary very black cherry/PN/spicy bit citric lovely nose; fairly tart/lean/hard rather herbal/peppery/rosemary strong pomengranate/black cherry/PN classic Siduri/oak flavor w/ modest/hard tannins; very long ripe pomengranate/black cherry/PN some herbal/rosemary/peppery/spicy finish w/ modest/firm tannins; needs several yrs to round out; speaks strongly of SantaLuciaHighlands and the Siduri style. $27.75
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A wee Bloody Pulpit:
1. The Siduri AppellationSeries Pinots represent some of the best values around in Calif Pinots. My favorites have always been the SantaLuciaHighlands and the SantaRitaHills. I don't know Adam does it.
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2. Wolfgang is Susan's long-time friend from Vienna who's visiting for several weeks. I thought his sensible European wouldn't tolerate the Carlisle. Wrongo/dongo...he loved it & was mightly impressed. Yet another refined European palate shot down in flames!!
Tom